Pune’s central shopping districts faced prolonged traffic congestion on Saturday as Diwali shoppers crowded market areas, slowing movement on Laxmi Road, Kumthekar Road, Kelkar Road and several other important routes. Long queues of vehicles were reported across the central parts of the city, with double parking, parking in no-parking zones and vehicles entering through no-entry restrictions adding to the disruption.
The congestion affected the Laxmi Road stretch from Phadke Haud to Lal Mahal Chowk, as well as the route from Quarter Gate Chowk to Tilak Chowk. Traffic movement was slow at several points along the road, which is one of Pune’s main traditional shopping corridors.
Kumthekar Road and Kelkar Road also saw long lines of vehicles. Traffic was reported to be moving slowly on Fergusson Road, Jangli Maharaj Road and Tilak Road, linking the congestion in the central market areas to adjoining routes.
The increase in traffic followed a rise in footfall at central Pune’s markets ahead of Diwali. Shoppers were visiting the areas to purchase clothes, jewellery, decorative items, festive food and other goods. The resulting increase in vehicles was significantly higher than usual in the central parts of the city, according to the report.
Parking practices further reduced the road space available for moving traffic. Vehicles parked on both sides of roads made it difficult for other vehicles to pass, while vehicles parked in no-parking areas created additional obstructions. At some locations, vehicles were also reported to be entering roads despite no-entry restrictions.
The disruption at individual points spread to nearby roads, as vehicles were forced to slow down or find alternate paths through already crowded areas. Crowds outside shops and informal roadside parking on routes leading to the markets placed additional pressure on traffic movement.
With Diwali shopping expected to continue over the next few days, citizens have sought additional traffic-police deployment around major market areas. They have also called for effective enforcement of no-parking and no-entry rules and for traffic regulation wherever possible. The report did not provide details of a specific traffic-management plan or additional deployment announced by the authorities.
